Total pages in book: 49
Estimated words: 45131 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 226(@200wpm)___ 181(@250wpm)___ 150(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 45131 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 226(@200wpm)___ 181(@250wpm)___ 150(@300wpm)
I barely killed the engine before my phone vibrated in my pocket.
The screen flashed with Wizard’s name, and I immediately answered the call. The quiet background noise of his keyboard clicking rapid-fire behind his words. “Got the confirmation from Cruze. We’ve got a visual from the surveillance feed. I’m running facial recognition now.”
I clenched the phone tighter, my jaw tight as I paced a short distance away from Clara. “And?”
There was a short pause, the sound of Wizard’s fingers flying across the keys growing louder. I could almost picture him hunched over his desk, his eyes narrowed intently on the screens, tracking data faster than anyone I’d ever known.
When he finally spoke, the quiet fury simmering beneath his voice was unmistakable. “It’s who we thought. Confirmed it two ways through our databases.”
Ice shot down my spine, my grip on the phone tightening until my knuckles turned white. Sullivan was supposed to be locked down tight—buried in a secure location so deep and dark he’d never fucking resurface. And now here he was, captured and dragged into the middle of this shitstorm we’d uncovered right at our doorstep. If the assholes running this facility got even a hint of what he knew, lives we’d sworn to protect could be at risk, including our own.
“We need to move our asses,” I ground out roughly. “We gotta take this down tonight.”
“Agreed,” he replied gruffly. “Prez is already pulling everyone together. We’re meeting in thirty to finalize a plan. Echo, Kevlar, Cross, and Fallon are headed in now.”
“I’ll be there soon as I grab Clara. Want her secure in the clubhouse before we ride.”
Wizard grunted in agreement, then he hesitated before saying, “It’s the safest place for her. Trust that, or you’ll be distracted, and all our asses will be vulnerable. Keep your head on straight, man. This is gonna get ugly.”
“It’s already ugly,” I growled. “Now we clean it the fuck up.”
The line disconnected abruptly, and I lowered the phone slowly, forcing a calming breath through my lungs. My heart hammered against my ribs, adrenaline surging through my veins at the implications of what we were about to face.
Shoving my phone back into my pocket, I climbed off my bike and strode quickly toward the store. Clara stood behind the counter, organizing some jars of apple butter, her brow furrowed in quiet concentration. She glanced up when the bell above the door jingled. Her face instantly brightened, until she saw the tension etched into every line of my body.
Her smile faltered, her eyes narrowing with concern as she quickly rounded the counter. “Ronan? What’s wrong?”
I reached her in two long strides, my hands cupping her face firmly as I gazed down into her wide, worried amber eyes. “Club business, baby. We’ve got some shit going down tonight, and I need you safe and far away from the danger until it’s handled.”
She swallowed hard, searching my face carefully as her hands moved to grip my wrists. “You’re doing something really dangerous, aren’t you?”
I clenched my jaw, torn between shielding her from the details and needing her to understand the seriousness of the situation.
“Not for us,” I assured her. “But I want you at the clubhouse where I know you’ll be safe, and I don’t have to worry.”
Her expression softened, but the worry in her eyes remained. “Okay. Whatever you need.”
The easy acceptance in her voice, her trust and willingness to follow my lead, twisted something deep in my chest. I exhaled slowly, leaning down to press a firm, lingering kiss against her forehead. “Thank you.”
Clara’s gaze never left my face, her eyes full of quiet strength and concern. “You promise you’ll be okay?”
My thumb traced the curve of her cheek gently, but my voice gruff. “Baby, I’ve faced a lot of shit before. And sometimes I was a little reckless. But I didn’t have the other half of my soul to worry about. I wouldn’t fucking risk not coming back to you.”
Her breath hitched softly, eyes brightening with unshed tears, but she blinked them back quickly, offering me a small, brave smile. “Good. Because I’m expecting you back in one piece.”
“You’ve got my word.” I kissed her again, harder this time, lingering for a long moment to savor the taste and warmth of her. The familiar protective urge surged stronger, fierce and uncompromising. “Go grab some of your stuff. We need to get moving.”
She nodded quickly, pulling away to grab her purse and jacket from behind the counter. Her siblings were watching us curiously, clearly sensing the tension in the air. Clara spoke calmly, reassuring them that everything was fine and she just needed to step away for the night. Harper nodded once, her eyes serious as she assured her she’d cover things here. It felt good knowing Clara’s family had her back.
I guided her firmly toward the door, one hand on her waist as I led her to my bike. When she climbed on behind me, and her arms wrapped tightly around my waist, I felt the knot of tension ease slightly. I knew exactly what was waiting for me tonight—violence, danger, and blood. But like Wizard said, knowing Clara would be safely tucked away, protected by the best security we had, would allow me to focus fully on what needed to be done.